London - If you spend your weekends gazing enviously over the garden wall at the immaculate lawn next door while casting contemptuous glances at your own weed-strewn patch, cheer up – you’re not alone.
Almost half of us are jealous of our neighbours’ gardens, a poll has found, while a quarter feel there is competition on their street to have the best-kept plot.
The poll found that 42 percent of adults peer longingly over the fence at immaculate lawns, blooming hanging baskets and expensive garden furniture.
More than a third of those questioned by a weed killer company said they wished their garden looked as impressive as their neighbours’.
The biggest factor for jealousy was that other people on the street had bigger gardens, followed by a well-manicured lawn.
Company spokesman Gary Philpotts said: “This research clearly shows that there is some competition going on in neighbourhoods.
“Gardens are different from other aspects of our homes in the sense that many people can have a sneaky look from their back window or over the fence.
“It’s healthy to have a bit of jealousy every now and then, as it keeps everyone on their toes.”
The study also revealed that a bitter 16 percent of adults said they wouldn’t give neighbours the satisfaction of complimenting them on their garden.
Nearly a third said they regularly approached their neighbours to ask them for tips and advice on how to tend to their lawn and shrubs, although 35 percent said they would never do this as it would go to their head.
The best place to turn to for advice was good old mom or dad, but 18 percent prefer to pay for professional help from a gardener to ensure the perfect garden.
The biggest grumble homeowners had about their own garden was that the lawn was too patchy, followed by too many weeds, that it was too small or that it was all concrete. Other moans included dirty patios, overgrown plants and lack of bright colours.
Not only do gardeners have a touch of the green-eyed monster, but 43 percent also get annoyed if next door have a messy garden. One in 10 said an unkempt garden reflected badly on the area and a third said it was not nice to look at.
The study also found that one in 10 got irritated with someone who lived close by because they copied what they had done. – Daily Mail
TOP 10 GARDEN ENVY LIST
1. Bigger garden
2. Well-manicured
3. Nicer garden furniture
4. Tidy borders
5. Blooming plants
6. Impressive hanging baskets
7. A clean patio
8. Decking
9. Conservatory
10. Smaller but more manageable garden